The Yomiuri Giants solidified their bullpen by re-signing Kyle Keller to a new one-year contract. The contract includes a mutual option for 2026, although financial terms are still unclear. Keller has pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) since 2022, debuting with the Hanshin Tigers.
Keller, 31, was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 18th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He debuted with the Marlins in 2019, pitching in ten games, striking out 11 batters with a 3.38 ERA. In 2020, Keller made two appearances for the Los Angeles Angels before becoming a piece in the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen in 2021. With the Pirates, Keller threw in 32 games, posting a 6.48 ERA, pitching in 33.1 innings, and striking out 36 batters.
After the 2021 season concluded, Keller decided to head overseas and join the Hanshin Tigers for the 2022 season. Keller mainly worked out of the bullpen, pitching brilliantly in his first season. He went 3-2, posting a 3.31 ERA in 34 games, logging 32.2 innings, striking out 46, and all while only walking five batters. He spent the entire 2023 season in the Central League with the Tigers, posting a 1.71 ERA in 27 games, striking out 28 in 26.1 innings. Keller would finish that season as a Japan Series champion, with the Tigers defeating the Buffaloes.
But for 2024, Keller joined the Yomiuri Giants for a change of scenery. He was dominant in 51 games for the Giants, going 2-2, posting a 1.53 ERA, throwing in 47 innings, striking out 54 batters, and walking 19.
The Yomiuri Giants finished first in the Central League in 2024 with a record of 77-59. They were eliminated by the Yokohama DeNa Baystars in the Climax Series, losing in seven games. One thing that will be key for the Giants is if they will be able to retain Panamanian southpaw Alberto Baldonado, as he and Keller will be valuable set-up men to closer, Taisei Ota.
